Cables to Go 8 - Manual (Page 19)

4 Applications
17
Your MultiMix 8 USB can be used in a wide variety of ways in
both live and recording applications. You have several options for
bringing sound into and out of the board. And when it’s brought
in, you can route it to various parts of the mixer for certain desired
effects, or even send it to an external processor or tape deck and
back. To give you some ideas for different mixing scenarios, here
are descriptions of a few common applications for the MultiMix 8
USB.
Simple Recording Setup
In this setup, you connect your instruments and microphones to
the mono and stereo channels, making sure to properly set the
level of each channel. To record directly from the mixer to a tape
deck or other device, connect the device via the 2-TRACK OUT
jack. To record to a multitrack recorder, connect the MAIN MIX
OUT to the recorder’s inputs.
You can select one on-board effect and control its level with the
AUX B knob for each channel. Or you can use an external effects
processor by sending a signal to the external unit via the AUX
SEND A and returning it via AUX RETURN A.
For monitoring you can connect the CTRL RM OUT jacks to a
speaker or headphone amplifier, or just simply plug headphones
into the PHONES jack.
Simple Live Setup
This is similar to the recording setup. In a live setup, you most
likely will connect the MAIN MIX OUT to a PA system amplifier
and the CTRL RM OUT to a headphone amplifier for monitoring
purposes. Try connecting an external effects processor to the
MultiMix’s send and receive. Your headphones will allow you to
audition a channel before you bring it into the mix, making sure
the levels are OK before the audience hears it.
Using Additional External Audio
Sources
The MultiMix 8 USB gives you 8 audio inputs in all. If you want to
bring external audio sources into a recording or live mix, you can
do it in several different ways. Using the 2-TRACK IN, you can
add a tape deck, ADAT, CD player or other source to the mix. The
2-TRACK IN also can be used to entertain the audience with a
CD as the band is setting up for a live show. The AUX RETURNS
can be used as additional audio inputs when you are not using
them for effects.
Digital output to a digital recorder
Connect the S/PDIF DIGITAL OUTPUT of your Multimix
console to the DIGITAL IN on your external digital recorder.
(12-channel and 16-channel models only)
4 Applications
18
Using the Multimix USB with a
Computer
Your Alesis Multimix mixer comes with a Full Speed USB port
which you can connect to a computer. This USB connection
allows you to send CD-quality (stereo, 16-bit, 44.1 kHz) audio
between the computer and your Multimix mixer.
This feature allows you to use the Multimix USB as a highly
flexible external soundcard. Use the computer’s built in audio
recorder—or use dedicated Digital Audio Workstation software—
to record and play back CD-quality audio within your computer.
A 2-meter USB cable is included. If you need to connect the
Multimix across a longer distance, we recommend that you
purchase a longer USB cable, as using hubs and other extenders
with USB audio often causes glitches and other problems.
Sending and Receiving Audio Data
The USB port sends the Multimix’s MAIN OUT/TAPE OUT left
and right signals to the computer.
The USB port receives a stereo audio stream from the computer
and assigns it to the TAPE IN left and right channels of your
Multimix mixer. Note that, if a device is connected to the
Multimix’s TAPE IN inputs, the signal from this device is merged
with the signal from the computer.
Precautions when using the USB connection
To ensure that the Multimix is recognized correctly by your
computer, always turn the Multimix on a few seconds before
inserting the USB cable into the computer. When powering up
both your computer and the Multimix, turn on the Multimix first
and the computer second. When powering down your computer
and the Multimix, turn off the computer first. Wait to turn off the
Multimix until the computer has shut down.
Connection instructions for Windows (XP,
2000, ME, and 98 Second Edition)
Upon first sensing the Multimix’s USB input, Windows XP and
Windows 2000 automatically recognize the Multimix and proceed
to install “USB audio codec” drivers. Windows ME and Windows
98 Second Edition may require you to insert your Windows disc,
after which the drivers should load correctly. [verify this]
After the Multimix has been recognized and its drivers have been
installed, open the Control Panel. Select Sounds and Audio
Devices (or Multimedia), go to the Audio tab, and select the “USB
audio codec” as your default sound recording and sound playback
device.